New Delhi, Nov. 3 -- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for greater diversification of India's agricultural sector into energy production, saying the expansion of indigenous alternative fuels is important to reducing the country's annual fossil fuel import bill of Rs 22 lakh crore.

Speaking after inaugurating the Enrich 2026 Experience Zone at KPMG's Energy and Resources Forum, Gadkari said alternative fuels such as ethanol, compressed biogas, green hydrogen and bio-bitumen could strengthen energy security while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

"Our policy is import substitute, cost effective, pollution free and indigenous," he said, emphasising the potential role of agriculture ...